We are in love with out
Formosa Peterson 46. It has a very low profile CC and very little
teak. You can access the back cabin from the cockpit or a low passageway from the main
salon. The engine access is excellent from the one side of the passageway, opposite that is a long bunk not used that way but rather a place to put the folding seats we use instead of
cushions on deck, so they are never out in the
weather when we aren't using them. Also leaves a great space for our icemaker, extra lifejackets, toolbox, etc. We put down indoor outdoor carpet to keep vibration down for the hard bottomed items. Five step ladder to the
salon from the cockpit, lots of
headroom (husband is 6'3") It is a sleek design for a CC and we have lived aboard and traveled on an
Islander 40 Motorsailor which was really a great boat but had the pirate looks going around the windows to the aft cabin where the
bed was. Too much frill for us.
Another thing I really love about this arrangement is that a tarp over the boom shades the entire cockpit (or keeps it dry in the rain) and it also covers the opening to the aft cabin. We have a beautifully designed
dodger that came with the boat and extends to cover a person sitting on either side of the cockpit. We just
sold a Defever 43 and I really missed sitting outside (or stretching out) on the cockpit seats, you feel so secure. On the
power boat you are either on top which is a great ride except when it's rough, or on deck with folding chairs, not advisable on a
passage as they don't stay put. So you are pretty much stuck inside on top of the engines on passages. The
Formosa is a
cutter rig boat. I did not like the
Islander because I could not keep track of everyone on board by visuals and with this boat it's pretty easy. Got used to the bending over to get to the aft cabin and it doesn't even matter anymore. One thought on centerline beds like we had on the Defever, in rough
anchorages you can fall out of bed! The Formosa has builtins so you still have to get in the aft cabin
bed as though it were a V-berth but the bed is spacious and I know I won't fall out of it. One
passage on the Islander, which had an aft cabin off to one side queen size bed I actually got bounced out of the bed onto the floor. I really feel better with sides to the bed. We keep the v-berth for guests and grandchildren to play in. Every boat is a concession.
At 62 I thought our sailing days were over but I found I could still climb ladders and crouch down and move about without a second thought, which I think keeps you young and flexible. Head room is ultimately important if you are tall. So is a long enough bed! Salon is very
family friendly with enough seating for about 10. Heads are very simple but practical (no separate
shower stalls to clean) All
teak interior except formica on the insides of the heads practical because they double as showers. All opening
ports and 3 overhead hatches keep it light inside. Great tight u shaped
galley.
Storage for more than everything you need. This is boat number 19, my only complaint is please dear change out that old shaky engine. It's in great vintage shape and no blow by but the vibration without a load on it will shake your teeth to the roots.
It's noisy as hell. We are
shopping for a nice more modern used engine, no hurry, just waiting for a deal. Then I think it will be perfect! My husband is very handy and will do the install himself. But til then the old one runs perfectly and makes it's presence well known, personality. Our dual engines on the
power boat were first a smoky mess named Cheech and Chong, changed them over to Bert and Ernie who didn't smoke. LOL
Linear Mode
Recent Discussions